The American Society of Ephesus (“ASE”), in cooperation with ArtSpace/Lima, has announced the winners in the adult age category (over 18) of the Design Competition for the new Our Lady of Fatima Shrine at Indian Lake.
Those winners are: Robert Patricy of Columbus; The Faith in Action Team of Minster; and Matt Bensman of Anna.
A reception takes place at ArtSpace/Lima, 65 Town Square, in Lima, from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, during which the top three winning entries in this age category will be displayed.
Cash prizes will be presented to the winners by ASE board members.
“The amount of creativity put into these designs by artists of all ages has been very impressive. We are very excited to host this reception for the adult age group,” said Sally Windle, Executive Director of ArtSpace/Lima.
Youth winners were honored during a previous reception Oct. 26.
The statewide design competition for the new shrine opened last June after the original shrine in Russells Point was destroyed by a tornado that hit the Indian Lake region March 14.
The Our Lady of Fatima Shrine was one of the tallest statues of the Virgin Mary in the United States. Dedicated in August 1964, the 43-foot tall monument included a rotating 19’-6” fiberglass statue on a concrete pedestal with fountains, music and lighting. The shrine property is located at 261 Chase Ave., Russells Point.
“We held a statewide design competition to get community input as well as new ideas from Ohio artists of all ages,” said Bill Quatman, president of ASE.
A five-person jury reviewed the design submissions and selected the winners in several age groups.
“The three finalists in the over 18 age category will receive cash prizes at the upcoming reception,” Sally Windle said. “After interviewing multiple firms, ASE has hired an architect and a sculptor to design the new shrine. I know they hope to use the best ideas from several of the winning entries.”
“We were very impressed with the quality and variety of designs that were submitted,” Quatman said. “Now comes the hard part of creating a new shrine that uses the best ideas that we have received. Our architect, Freytag & Associates, will help us to do that.
“Once we have the site design finalized and plans drawn up, we will solicit bids from area contractors to build the new shrine.”
ASE plans for an Aug. 15, 2026, dedication for the new shrine at Indian Lake.
For more information, visit www.ase-gbqfoundation.org or www.artspacelima.com.
